Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., June 12, 2008 Sivan 9, 5768 | | Israel Time: 11:00 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 02:36 12/06/2008 Mayor of Qassam-battled Sderot questioned by police on graft suspicions By Mijal Grinberg, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Qassam, Sderot, Eli Moyal Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal was interrogated Wednesday by the police's National Fraud Unit on suspicion of taking campaign bribes, committing fraud, breach of trust and cronyism in municipal jobs and contracts, and fortifying buildings against rocket fire at astronomical costs. Moyal was questioned under caution and then released on bail. He was not arrested. Among other things, police suspect Moyal of repeatedly giving work, by various means, to a construction company named Asum. Rocket-protection work contracted to Asum is still ongoing at several Sderot institutions, including kindergartens and a religious high school. Advertisement Documents obtained by Haaretz show that a tender for fortifying several kindergartens was actually won by a different company, but afterward the terms of the tender were revised, in coordination with the Home Front Command, to include a requirement for a metal component. Asum claimed the change meant it was still in the running for the contract, and took its case to court, which ruled in the company's favor. Asum became a contractor for the project, whose costs grew by more than NIS 2 million. But the story does not end there. Asum claimed that the requisite metal is not available, and proposed using cement instead. The Home Front Command approved the request, but the high price quote remained unchanged. According to Home Front Command data, 27 out of 41 kindergartens in Sderot have been fortified to date, and construction on six new kindergartens is on hold. Rocket-protection work at the religious high school in town has been ongoing for three years. The Home Front Command authorized hiring a contractor for the job without a tender, because lives are at stake. Asum is involved in this project as well. A decision was made at the beginning of this year to build new rocket-protected schools in Sderot. The municipality chose Asum for the job. The Interior Ministry's director general ruled the tender unlawful, claiming that Asum was chosen based on a bid for ordinary construction. This is what has held up the construction project. Moyal told Haaretz that he is certain his name will be cleared. Related articles: Sderot mayor denies calling for cease-fire talks with Hamas Between the Lines / The Sderot dilemma Eli Moyal's resignation / The mayor of wretchedville Investigators from the Fraud Squad raid Sderot municipality offices Bookmark to del.icio.us   Knowing when to fold Ehud Olmert tells Kadima to begin preparations for party primaries. Time for vegetarianism? Kosher meat prices in the U.S. are likely to soar after a raid on an Iowa plant.   1.   Israeli officials 03:03  |  hollingsworth 12/06/08   2.   Damn this corruption!! 06:55  |  Robert 12/06/08   3.   Another little Olmert? 07:43  |  Fortuna Benmayor 12/06/08   4.   Stench 09:31  |  Clickfool 12/06/08   5.   ahhhhhh YES; seems qassams are good for business... 09:48  |  eric 12/06/08

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